Antisocial Personality Disorder: What Is This Mental Health Condition?

In popular culture, people with antisocial personality disorder are often referred to as “sociopaths,” a term that conjures up images of mass murderers or creepy thrillers about highly manipulative individuals who thrive on hurting other people.

While there are people with antisocial personality disorder who fit those stereotypes, and while a very high percentage of violent offenders in prison have antisocial personality disorder, the American Psychiatric Association does not refer to people with antisocial personality disorder as sociopaths, nor does it equate the two terms.

Personality disorders are conditions involving long-term patterns where a person’s feelings, self-perception, and behavior stray substantially from their society and culture.

An estimated 9 percent of U.S. adults have a personality disorder diagnosis, according to the National Institute of Mental Health. (1)

A defining feature of antisocial personality disorder is a lack of empathy and a disregard for others, generally. Nonetheless, millions of people with the condition live mostly normal-looking lives. But while they may not commit violent crimes or even break the law, they most likely use others for their gain or have no problem hurting others.

An estimated 3.6 to 4.3 percent of people in the United States have the mental health condition known as antisocial personality disorder. (2,3)

A person with antisocial personality disorder has little concern for other people and is willing to violate their rights. They usually have no respect for social norms and laws and may believe they are “above the law.” They will frequently lie, manipulate other people, and may risk the health or lives of other people. And they do not feel any guilt or remorse for these actions.

Video: What is ASPD? (Anti Social Personality Disorder)

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